Reproducing apparatus for a recording medium and control apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A reproducing apparatus for a disc-like recording medium in which administration information of recorded information is recorded together with the information has a stocking section, a reproducing section, a transferring mechanism, a memory and a controller. A plurality of disc-like recording media are stocked in the stocking section in a laminate fashion. The reproducing section reproduces the information and the administration information recorded in the disc-like recording medium. The transferring mechanism selectively picks up the disc-like medium from the stocking section and transfers the picked-up recording medium between the stocking section and the reproducing section and transfers the recording medium to an eject position from the reproducing apparatus. The memory stores the administration information of the recording medium read out or reproduced by the reproducing section and information concerning a reproduction order. The controller controls each operation of the transferring mechanism, the reproducing section and the memory. When the recording medium is transferred to the eject position by the transferring mechanism, the controller delete the information of administration of the recording medium transferred to the eject position and the reproduction order stored in the memory.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus for a recordingmedium and its controlling method. In particular, the present inventionrelates to a reproducing apparatus for a recording medium having aexchanging function of a plurality of recording media and itscontrolling method.

2. Background of the Invention

Disc-like recording media such as CDs (Compact Discs) or the like(herein simply referred to as discs) have been widely used to record orreproduction for audio uses or the like. Recently, a reproducingapparatus having a disc changer mechanism for accommodating a pluralityof discs and selectively reproducing recorded signals (hereinafterreferred to as a disc changer apparatus) has been developed.

In such the changer apparatus, a stocker which can receive oraccommodate, for example, five trays holding discs is provided and thetrays may be taken out from the stocker to a loading position on a discreproducing section and a position for inserting/ejecting the discs.

For instance, the user may mount the discs and pick up the discs housedin the stocker by taking out the tray to the inserting/ejectingposition. Also, the reproduction of the discs held by the tray may becarried out by moving the tray to the loading position.

By the way, in a disc such a CD, data for reproducing of tracks of musicor the like are recorded in the innermost circumferential side of thedisc as administration information called TOC (Table of Content) data.Namely, based upon the administration information, it is possible torecognize address information (absolute time) as a start position ofeach track, the number of tracks, a play time of each piece of music orthe like. Then, in case of the reproduction of the disc, the disc playerfirstly reads out the TOC data of the disc and performs the reproducingoperation of each track on the basis of the TOC data which has been readout.

Also in the above-described changer apparatus in which a plurality ofdiscs may be accommodated, the TOC data is read out before the start ofthe reproducing operation in the same manner as in the above-describeddisc player. In case of the changer apparatus, in some cases, there is adefect if the TOC data is out read at the time when the disc that hasbeen designated to be reproduced is loaded to the reproducing section,i.e. immediately before the reproducing operation.

For example, in a usual disc player, as is well known, there is aprogram playback mode in which the user can designate the order of playmusic for the loaded disc. In the case where the program playback modeis applied to the changer apparatus, the user can set to designate theorder of the reproducing tracks over a plurality of received discs.

When the user designates the pieces of music one by one in the programplayback mode, the display of the reproducing accumulation time iseffected. However, the TOC data has to be read in the calculation of thereproducing time. In a usual disc player in which a single disc isreproduced, of course, there is no problem since the TOC data may beread at the time of loading. However, in the changer apparatus, in thecase where there are discs for which the TOC data has not been read outin the discs accommodated in the stocker, i.e., the discs have not beenloaded to the disc reproducing section, and in the case where a certaintrack (music) is designated out of the discs housed in the stocker, itis impossible to display the reproducing time accumulation immediately.Since it is possible to read out and store the TOC data for the discsthat have been once loaded on the disc reproducing section, in the casewhere the discs which have never been picked up from the stocker arepresent, there is such a problem.

Accordingly, in order to effect the reproducing accumulation timedisplay, the steps such as loading the stocked discs on the discreproducing section, reading out TOC data and thereby displaying thereproducing accumulation time are necessary at the time when the tracks(music) included in the stocked discs are designated in the program. Itis time-consuming to display the time after calculation of thereproducing accumulation time. This is troublesome for the userdisadvantageously.

In addition, in the case where the TOC data is necessary for the discsstocked in the stocker due to any operation, the like problems would beraised.

Also, for example, the program playback mode in the above-describedchanger apparatus is carried out as follows:

For instance, it is possible to carry out the program designation like(1) a third piece of music of a second disc, (2) a fifth piece of musicof a first disc, (3) a seventh piece of music of a fifth disc, . . . .

The program designation data are stored in an internal memory within theapparatus. If the reproducing operation is carried out by the operatingsection, the controller carries out the reproducing control inaccordance with the music order designated by the program. The discsloaded on the disc reproducing section are exchanged and each part ofthe apparatus is thus controlled, if necessary.

Now, in the above-described disc player, in the case where the disc isejected, the user might load another disc. Accordingly, the data in thememory for the program designation data are usually erased. However, incase of the changer apparatus, there is a case where there are some ofthe plurality of discs, accommodated in the stocker, which may beselectively ejected. In case of this changer apparatus, there is apossibility that only the ejected discs are exchanged. Accordingly, ifall the program data in the memory are erased at the time when the ejectoperation is carried out, available data, i.e., the data of the musicdesignation out of the discs which have not yet been ejected are erased.This would be not convenient.

Also, in the above-described changer apparatus, when the traytransferring operation is executed, it should be recognized what is thecurrent transference condition, i.e., the position of the transferringmechanism and which tray is to be delayed. For example, under thecondition that the power source is turned on, if the currenttransference condition is not recognized by the controller forcontrolling the transferring operation, it is impossible to perform thetransferring operation in accordance with the manipulation of the user.

In order to detect the transference condition, it is possible to obtainan absolute address of a mechanical position by providing some sensorsat respective transferring positions. In order to correspond to all thepositions to be detected, the number of the necessary sensors isincreased. This is not preferable. For this reason, there is a demandthat, for example, only a sensor for obtaining a single absolute addressin a direction in which the tray is caused to correspond to each stockposition of the stocker and a sensor for detecting a relative address asat least stock position change are used.

Furthermore, there is a possibility that some mechanical operationalerror would occur in the transferring operation. It is desirable thatthe automatic return to the normal condition to some extent is attainedfor the operation error.

In the above-described changer apparatus, an opening/closing cover foropening/closing an opening portion formed for the operation ofinsert/discharge is provided. For example, the opening/closing cover isangularly moved in a direction in which the opening portion is opened bythe eject operation of the tray, so that the tray is extruded to theoutside of the apparatus. The opening/closing cover is closed, so thatthe interior of the apparatus is invisible from the opening portion ofthe front panel of the apparatus and also the foreign matter isprevented from entering the interior of the apparatus.

However, in the case where the user manually angularly rotates theopening/closing cover in a direction in which the opening portion isopened and his or her finger enters the interior of the apparatus, thereis a quite large risk that the finger would be clamped by thetransferring operation of the tray, arranged in the interior of thechanger apparatus, in the vertical direction.

Also, in the case where the opening/closing cover is opened during thetransferring operation of the tray in the vertical direction and theforeign matter is introduced there into, the foreign matter causes abreakdown of the changer apparatus, such as a damage given to thetransferring mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide areproducing apparatus for a recording medium which resolves the above-mentioned problems.

It is another object of the invention to provide a control method for areproducing apparatus of a recording medium which resolves theabove-mentioned problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a reproducingapparatus for a recording medium in which administration information ofrecorded information is recorded. The reproducing apparatus includes astocking section, a reproducing section, a transferring mechanism, amemory and a controller. A plurality of recording media are stocked inthe stocking section. The reproducing section reproduces the informationand the administration information recorded in the recording medium. Thetransferring mechanism selectively picks up the recording medium fromthe stocking section, transfers the picked-up recording medium betweenthe stocking section and the reproducing portion and transfers therecording medium to an eject position from the reproducing apparatus.The memory stores the administration information of the recording mediumplayed back by the reproducing section and information concerning areproduction order. The controller controls each operation of thetransferring mechanism, the reproducing section and the memory. When therecording medium is transferred to the eject position by thetransferring mechanism, the controller erases the information ofadministration of the recording medium transferred to the eject positionand the reproduction order stored in the memory.

According to the present invention, there is provided a reproducingapparatus for a recording medium in which administration information ofrecorded information is recorded together with the information. Thereproducing apparatus includes a stocking section, a reproductionsection, a transferring mechanism, a memory and a controller. Aplurality of recording media are accommodated in the stocking section.The reproducing section reproduces the information recorded in therecording medium. The transferring mechanism selectively picks up themedium from the stocking section, transfers the picked-up recordingmedium between the stocking section and the reproducing section andtransfers the recording medium to an eject position from the reproducingapparatus. The memory stores the administration information of therecording medium reproduced by the reproducing section. The controllercontrols each operation of the transferring mechanism, the reproducingsection and the memory. If any recording medium for which theadministration information is not stored in the memory is present in theplurality of recording media accommodated in the stocking section, whena reproducing operation of the recording media by the reproducingsection is kept under a reproduction stand-by condition, the controllertransferring controls the transferring mechanism, picks-up, from thestocking section, the recording medium for which the administrationinformation has not been stored into the memory, and reproduces therecording medium so that the administration information of the recordingmedium is stored in the memory.

According to the present invention, there is provided a reproducingapparatus for a recording medium in which administration information ofrecorded information is recorded. The reproducing apparatus includes astocking section, a reproducing section, a transferring mechanism, anoperation input section, a memory and a controller. A plurality ofrecording media are accommodated in the stocking section. Thereproducing section reproduced the information and the administrationinformation recorded in the recording medium. The transferring mechanismselectively picks up the disc-like medium from the stocking section,transfers the picked-up recording medium between the stocking sectionand the reproducing section and transfers the recording medium to aneject position from the reproducing apparatus. The memory stores theinformation concerning a reproduction order of the recording mediumreproduced by the reproducing section and by the input section. Thecontroller controls each operation of the transferring mechanism, thereproducing section and the memory. When the recording medium isdelivered to the eject position by the transferring mechanism, thecontroller erases the reproduction order stored in the memory.

According to the present invention, there is provided a control methodfor a reproducing apparatus for a recording medium in whichadministration information of recorded information is recorded togetherwith the information. The reproducing apparatus includes a stockingsection, a reproducing section, a transferring mechanism, and a memory.A plurality of recording media are accommodated in the stocking section.The reproducing section reproduces the information and theadministration information recorded in the recording medium. Thetransferring mechanism selectively picks up the disc-like medium fromthe stocking section, transfers the picked-up recording medium betweenthe stocking section and the reproducing section and transfers therecording medium to an eject position from the reproducing apparatus.The memory stores the administration information of the recording mediumreproduced by the reproducing section and information concerning areproduction order. According to the control method, when the recordingmedium is transferred to the eject position by the transferringmechanism, the information of administration of the recording mediumtransferred to the eject portion and the reproduction order stored inthe memory are erased.

According to the present invention, there is provided a control methodfor a reproducing apparatus for a recording medium in whichadministration information of recorded information is recorded togetherwith the information. The reproducing apparatus includes a stockingsection, a reproducing section, a transferring mechanism, and a memory.A plurality of recording media are accommodated in the stocking section.The reproducing section reproduced the information recorded in therecording medium. The transferring mechanism selectively picks up themedium from the stocking section, transfers the picked-up recordingmedium between the stocking section and the reproducing section andtransfers the recording medium to an eject position from the reproducingapparatus. The memory stores the administration information of therecording medium reproduced by the reproducing section. According to thecontrol method, if any recording medium for which the administrationinformation is not stored in the memory is present in the plurality ofrecording media accommodated in the stocking section, when a reproducingoperation of the recording media by the reproducing section is keptunder a reproduction stand-by condition, the control method includes thesteps of transferring controlling the transferring mechanism, picks up,from the stocking section, the recording medium for which theadministration information has not been stored into the memory, andreproducing the recording medium so that the administration informationof the recording medium is stored in the memory.

According to the present invention, there is provided a control methodfor a reproducing apparatus for a recording medium. The reproducingapparatus includes a stocking section, a reproducing section, atransferring mechanism, and an opening/closing mechanism. A plurality ofrecording media are accommodated in the stocking section. Thereproducing section reproduced the information recorded in the recordingmedium. The transferring mechanism selectively picks up the medium fromthe stocking section, transfers the recording medium between thestocking section and the reproducing section and transfers the recordingmedium to an eject position from the reproducing apparatus. Theopening/closing mechanism allows the transferring mechanism to move in aopening direction to thereby cause it to reach the eject position.According to the control method, when the transferring mechanism is keptunder the transferring direction, and when the opening/closing mechanismis moved to the opening direction, the transferring operation of thetransferring mechanism is stopped.

According to the present invention, there is provided a reproducingapparatus for a recording medium. The reproducing apparatus includes astocking section, a reproducing section, a transferring mechanism, aposition detecting section and a controller. A plurality of recordingmedia are accommodated in the stocking section. The reproducing sectionreproduced the information recorded in the recording medium. Thetransferring mechanism selectively picks up the medium from the stockingsection, transfers the recording medium between the stocking section andthe reproducing section and transfers the recording medium to an ejectposition from the reproducing apparatus. The position detecting sectiondetects positions of the transferring mechanism. The controller controlseach operation of the transferring mechanism and the reproducingsection. Under a condition before a reproduction start by thereproducing section, after the position detecting section detects thatthe transferring mechanism has reached an initial position, thecontroller causes the transferring mechanism to perform a returningoperation of the recording medium to the stocking section by thetransferring mechanism kept under the condition before the reproductionstart.

According to the present invention, the information concerning thereproduction order and the administration information of a plurality ofrecording media recorded in the memory are stored until the recordingmedium reaches the eject position. Accordingly, it is unnecessary toperform the storage operation of the information concerning thereproduction order and the reading out operation of the administrationinformation of the recording medium for every time when the reproducingoperation is carried out.

According to the present invention, under the condition that thereproducing section does not reproduce the recording medium, under thecondition of the reproduction stand-by condition, the recording mediumfor which the administration information has not yet been stored ispicked up, and the administration is read out and stored in the memory,whereby the subsequent reproducing operation may be quickly performed.

According to the present invention, the position of the transferringmechanism is detected on the basis of the position in which therecording medium is accommodated in the stocking section by thetransferring mechanism, whereby it is possible to readily detect orrecognize the position of the transferring mechanism at a time ofturn-on of the power source. Also, even if an error is generated in thetransferring mechanism due to a mechanical malfunction, it is possibleto perform a returning operation to a normal condition.

According to the present invention, when the opening/closing mechanismis opened during the transferring operation by the transferringmechanism, the transferring mechanism operation is automatically stoppedwhereby the damage of the transferring mechanism is prevented and at thesame time, an occurrence of an accident may be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a discchanger apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a subtray used in the disc changerapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a stocker used in the disc changerapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the subtray received in the stockershown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main tray and a slider used inthe disc changer apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an elevator block of the discchanger apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a condition where the subtray is kept underthe horizontal transferring operational condition of the disc changerapparatus shown in FIG. 1 before the reception in the main tray;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a condition where the subtray is kept underthe horizontal transferring operational condition under the reception inthe main tray;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a condition where the subtray is kept underthe horizontal transferring operational condition and is moved to theeject position together with the main tray;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a structure of a vertical transferringmechanism of the disc exchanger apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the vertical transferring operationalcondition of the disc changer apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing acondition that the subtray is drawn out;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the vertical transferring operationalcondition of the disc changer apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing acondition that the disc on the subtray is loaded on the disc reproducingsection;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the horizontal transferringoperation of the disc changer apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the vertical transferring operationof the disc changer apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of detection signals of the horizontaloperation of the disc changer apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of detection signals of the vertical operationof the disc changer apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a structure of the disc changerapparatus;

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a structure a part of a display sectionand an operating section of the disc changer apparatus;

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a structure of a part of the displaysection of the disc changer apparatus;

FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b) are perspective views showing a part of a frontpanel of the disc changer apparatus, with FIG. 20(a) being a perspectiveview showing a structure of a part of the front panel, and FIG. 20(b)being a perspective view showing a structure of a cover of the frontpanel;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of an administrationinformation reading operation of the disc changer apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing another example of an administrationinformation reading operation of the disc changer apparatus;

FIGS. 23(a) to 23(c) are illustrations of display examples upon input ofa program designation data of the display section;

FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b) are illustration showing an editing process of theprogram designation data in a RAM;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the editing process of the programdesignation data upon the eject operation of the disc changer apparatus;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a mechanical initializing method of thedisc changer apparatus;

FIGS. 27(a) to 27(h) are schematic illustrations showing an operation ofthe mechanical initializing method of the disc changer apparatus;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing another mechanical initializing method ofthe disc changer apparatus;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a process upon generation of an error ofthe disc changer apparatus;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an emergency process upon opening of acover of the disc changer apparatus;

FIGS. 31(a) to 31(c) are schematic illustrations of an emergency processupon opening of the cover of the disc changer apparatus; and

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a return operation after the cover of thedisc changer apparatus has been closed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A reproducing apparatus of a recording medium according to the presentinvention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. Incidentally, in the following embodiment, a reproducingapparatus of a recording medium for a disc-like recording medium havingadministration information such as recorded music information, such as aCompact Disc will be exemplified and explained.

A mechanical structure of a disc changer apparatus as a reproducingapparatus will first be explained. Incidentally, FIGS. 1 to 11 will beused in the explanation of the structure of the disc changer apparatus.The explanation will be limited only to parts directly relating to thepresent invention in the structural parts shown.

<1. OVERALL STRUCTURE OF CHANGER APPARATUS>

An exploded perspective view of primary part of a disc changer apparatusis shown in FIG. 1.

This changer apparatus has a chassis 1. A disc reproducing section 5having a disc table 6 on which a disc-like recording medium (hereinaftersimply referred to as a disc) is laid as shown in FIG. 1 and an opticalhead 7 for read out signals from the disc is provided on a bottom plateportion 2 of the chassis 1. A stocker 8 which can accommodate aplurality of discs received on subtrays 14 is mounted by screws 10 on arear side of the chassis 1. The stocker 8 is constructed so as toaccommodate or receive five subtrays 14 which are received in a laminatestate from a first stock height position to a fifth stock heightposition.

An elevator block which is composed of an elevator block base 44 and anelevator block top 67 is further provided on an upper side of the discreproducing section 5 in the chassis 1. The elevator block constitutes,together with a first cam plate and a second cam plate which will bedescribed later, a transferring mechanism for selectively picking up thediscs from the stocker 8 and transferring the discs to a loadingposition on the disc table 6 of the disc reproducing section 5 andtransferring the disc to an eject position outside the apparatus body.

The elevator block base 44 and the elevator block top 67 are formed intoone piece by screws 65 and a support pins 47 and 48 of the elevatorblock base 44 are inserted into guide slits 21 and 22 formed on bothside wall portions 3 and 4. As a result, the elevator block may be movedup and down through an elevator mechanism and hence may be moved from aposition close to the disc reproducing section 5 to a height position,i.e., fifth stop height position corresponding to the uppermost stockposition of the stocker 8.

A main tray 75 is supported to the elevator block. The main tray 75 ismovable in the horizontal direction from a positional state (playposition) where it is received within the elevator block to a positionalstate (eject position) where it is projected forwardly from the elevatorblock. The main tray 75 is transferred in the vertical direction whilebeing held by the elevator block under the condition that it is in thereproducing position.

The subtrays 14 accommodated in the stocker 8 may be selectively carriedout and received in the main tray 75. Namely, when the main tray 75 ismoved up and down while being held by the elevator block and takes acondition to correspond to a certain stock position of the stocker 8,the subtray 14 received in that stock position is drawn by a slider 88incorporated in the main tray 75 and retracted and engaged within themain tray 75. Also, inversely, the subtray is drawn from the main tray75 and received in the stocker 8.

Accordingly, the subtray 14 is transferred in the horizontal directionfrom a positional state (stock position) where it is received in thestocker 8 to a position (reproducing position) where it is incorporatedin the main tray 75 and at the same time is transferred from thereproducing position to the eject position together with the main tray75. Also, the subtray is transferred in the vertical direction whilebeing held by the elevator block together with the main tray 75.

The discs are laid on each subtray 14 and the user may load/eject thediscs as a result of the transference of the subtray 14 to the ejectposition. Also, the subtray 14 is transferred to the stock position sothat the discs are received or accommodated in the stocker 8. Thesubtray 14 is transferred to a position (loading position) of the discreproducing section 5 so that the disc received or held on a certainsubtray 14 is chucked by the disc table 6 of the disc reproducingsection 5 and rotated by the spindle motor for the reading out by theoptical head 7.

A first cam plate 24 and a second cam plate 23 are mounted on theoutside of each of side wall portions 3 and 4 of the chassis 1.

Support slits 28, 29 and 30 are provided in the form of oblong shapes inthe horizontal direction in the first cam plate 24 and also supportslits 25, 26 and 27 are provided in the form of oblong shape in thehorizontal direction in the similar positions in the second cam plate23.

Support pins 18, 19 and 20 are formed on the outside of each of the sidewall portions 3 and 4 and the support pins 18, 19 and 20 are engagedwith the slits 25 and 28, 26 and 29, and 27 and 30, respectively, sothat the first and second cam plates 24 and 23 are supported movably inthe horizontal direction relative to the chassis 1.

Cam grooves 33 are formed in the first cam plate 24, and cam holes 31are also formed in the second cam plate 23. Then, as described above,support pins 47 and 48 of an elevator block base 44 which pins arecaused to pass through the guide slits 21 of the chassis reach thesecond cam plate 23 through the cam holes 31 and reach the cam groove 33of the first cam plate 24.

The first and second cam plates 24 and 23 are repeatedly moved back andforth in the horizontal direction in a predetermined range relative tothe chassis 1, so that the support pins 47 and 48 are guided by the camholes 31 and the cam grooves 33 and moved upwardly or downwardly.Namely, the elevator block is moved up and down within the chassis bythe repeated back-and-forth movement of the first and second cam plates24 and 23 in the horizontal direction.

A reference numeral 71 denotes a top plate which is mounted on a topsurface of the chassis 1.

<2. Subtray and stocker structure>

The positional relationship or operational condition of each of thesestructural parts in a transferring state, a stock state or the like willbe explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12.

FIG. 2 shows the subtray 14. The subtray 14 is formed a large diameterrecess portion 124 corresponding to a disc D₁ having a diameter of 12 cmfor putting on or receiving it thereon and a small diameter recessportion 125 corresponding to a disc D₁ having a diameter of 8 cm. Theserecess portions 124,125 are formed on one surface of each of the subtray14. Thus, the subtray 14 is formed so as to put on or receive the twokinds of discs D₁ and D₁.

A reference numeral 122 denotes a cutaway portion for allowing the disc,being laid on the subtray 14, to face the optical head 7 and the disctable 6 when the subtray 14 is transferred to the loading position. Aprojection 16 is formed through a spring portion 127 on one side of thesubtray 14 and is provided with an engagement recess portion 15.

A somewhat thinned jaw portion 126 is formed in each of the rear portionand both side portions of the subtray 14.

A reference numeral 123 denotes a sensor hole formed for the sensoroperation to detect whether or not the disc is laid on the subtray 14.This will be explained later.

The subtray 14 is accommodated or received in the stocker 8 as shown inFIG. 3. The stock positions of five subtrays 14 are predetermined,respectively. The withdrawal from the stocker 8 and reception to thestocker 8 with the main tray 75 are carried out at the stock positionswhich are first through fifth stock height positions H₁ to H₅.

FIG. 4 shows the subtray 14 kept under the condition that it isaccommodated in the stocker 8. An engagement recess portion 11 is formedat each stock position as best shown in FIG. 3, and shelf members 12 areprovided for partitioning the respective stock positions. The subtray 14is received with the jaw portions 126 being supported to the shelfmember 12. Also, the subtray 14 is held in the fully received positionwith the projection portion 16 being engaged with the engagement recessportion 11 as shown in FIG. 4, so that the received position conditionof the subtray 14 to the stocker 8 is maintained.

The projection portion 16 is inserted into the engagement recess portion11 by the elastic deformation of the spring portion 127 during thereturning operation of the subtray 14 into the stocker 8, and is removedaway from the engagement portion 11 by the elastic deformation of thespring portion 127 during the withdrawal operation from the stocker 8.Incidentally, a reference numeral 119 denotes a projection formed toface the top surface of the disc 301 received on the subtray 14. Theprojection 119 is used for preventing the withdrawal of the disc fromthe large diameter recess portion 124 in the case where the subtray 14is located in the stock position.

<3. Structure of main tray and slider and horizontal transferringoperation>

FIG. 5 shows a main tray 75 and a slider 88. The main tray 75 is formedinto a thin box-shape opened at central portions of top surface andbottom surface sides and on the rear side. The main tray 75 isstructured so as to be insertingly engageable with the subtray 14 fromthe rear side.

A cutaway portion 76 which becomes an open part on the top surface sideis used to cause the disc received on the subtray 14 to face the topsurface side when the subtray 14 is inserted thereinto. With thisstructure, when the main tray 75 engaged with the subtray 14 istransferred to the eject position, the loading/unloading of the disc onthe subtray 14 may be effected. A cutaway portion 80 which becomes anopen part on the bottom surface side is used to cause the disc as wellas the cutaway portion 122 of the subtray 14 to oppose to the opticalhead 7 and the disc table 6 when the main tray 75 into which the subtray14 has been inserted is transferred to the loading position.

A reference numeral 78 denotes a sensor hole formed for a sensoroperation to detect the presence/absence of the disc together with thesensor hole 123 of the subtray 14.

The slider 88 is received at one side portion of the main tray 75 underthe condition it is movable in a direction indicated by an arrow A inFIG. 5. As a result of the movement, the subtray 14 is withdrawnrelative to the main tray 75 and the subtray 14 is returned andaccommodated in the stocker 8.

For this reason, the slider 88 is formed with an engagement projection90 on a side edge portion inside the main tray 75. The engagementprojection 90 is engaged with the engagement recess portion 15 of thesubtray 14.

Namely, under the condition that the slider 88 is projected rearwardlyfrom the main tray 75 as shown in FIG. 7, the engagement projection 90is engaged with the engagement recess portion 15 of the subtray 14accommodated at the stock position of the stock height position of themain tray 75 at that time. Under this condition, the slider 88 is drawninto the main tray 75 so that the subtray 14 is also drawn into the maintray 75 to take an insertion engagement condition shown in FIG. 8.Inversely, the slider 88 is drawn rearwardly of the main tray 75 fromthe condition shown in FIG. 8 so that the subtray 14 is also drawnrearwardly and is returned and accommodated in the stocker 8.

Incidentally, under the condition that the subtray 14 is not insertedinto the main tray 75 and the slider 88 is not drawn out, since theengagement projection 90 and the engagement recess portion 15 are ofcourse not engaged with each other, the engagement condition has to befirst attained when the subtray 14 is to be transferred from the stocker8.

For this reason, the main tray 75 is firstly transferred to the loadingposition close to the optical head 7, and at this position, the slider88 is drawn rearwardly. Since this position is lower than the positionof the stocker 8, there is no interference with the drawing operation ofthe slider 88.

Under the condition that the slider 88 is drawn, the transferringoperation of the main tray 75 in the vertical direction is attained to astock height position where the subtray 14 to be picked up from thestocker 8 is received. During the vertical transferring operation, theengagement projection is caused to pass through the engagement recessportion 15 of each subtray 14 as indicated by a one-dot and dash line Bin FIG. 3.

Accordingly, when the main tray 75 is transferred to a predeterminedstock height position, the engagement projection 90 is located withinthe engagement recess portion 15 of the subtray 14 accommodated in thestock position. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, theretraction/withdrawal of the subtray 14 is possible in accordance withthe movement of the slider 88.

<4. Structure of elevator block and horizontal transferring operation>

FIG. 6 shows an elevator block. As described above, the elevator blockis composed of the elevator block top 67 and the elevator block base 44.The main tray 75 is received in a space defined by the elevator blocktop 67 and the elevator block base 44. The main tray 75 may be drawn outforwardly (eject position) from the elevator block.

The condition where the main tray 75 is received in the elevator blockis the condition shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 where the elevator block base 44is indicated by one-dot and dash line.

Then, from the condition of FIG. 8, the main tray 75 (and the subtray14) is drawn to the eject position as shown in FIG. 9.

A chucking plate 68 is formed in the elevator block top 67. Under thecondition that the elevator block is lowered to the loading position,the disc received on the subtray 14 received in the main tray 75 withinthe elevator block is clamped and chucked between the chucking plate 68and the disc table 6.

The cutaway portion 46 of the elevator block base 44 allows the disc tooppose to the optical head 7 and the disc table 6.

A horizontal transferring motor 51 is mounted on the elevator block base44 for the above-described movement of the slider and the movement ofthe main tray 75 (i.e., transferring operation in the horizontaldirection). The drive force of the horizontal transferring motor 51 istransmitted from a drive pulley 52 to driven pulleys 53 and 54. Therotation of the driven pulley 53 causes the pinion gear 132 shown inFIG. 11 to rotate through a gear 55. Although its detailed explanationwill be omitted, the pinion gear 132 is engaged with a rack gear 81 ofthe main tray 75 shown in FIG. 5 when the eject operation (open/close)is carried out. By this operation, the main tray 75 is moved between thereproducing position where it is received in the elevator block and theeject position.

The rotation of the driven pulley 54 is transmitted to a pinion gear 57through a gear 56. Although its detailed explanation will be omitted,the pinion gear 57 is engaged with a rack gear 89 of a lower portion ofthe slide 88 when the main tray 75 is in the reproducing position(elevator block reception state). By this operation, the movement of theslider 88, i.e., the horizontal movement of the subtray 14 is carriedout.

<5. Vertical transferring operation by cam plates>

FIG. 10 shows the state of the first and second cam plates 24 and 23mounted on the chassis 1.

As described above, the first and second cam plates 24 and 23 aremounted under the condition that it may be moved within the rangesdefined by the oblong holes of the support slits 28, 29 and 30 and thesupport slits 25, 26 and 27 relative to the chassis. This back-and-forthmovement operation is attained by a up-and-down motor 37 for executingthe upward and downward operation of the elevator block. The drive forceof the up-and-down motor 37 is transmitted to the cam gear 41 through agear train from a drive pulley 36. An oblong cam groove 38 is formed ina cam gear 41 and a follower pin 43 implanted in the second cam plate 23is engaged with the cam groove 38. Thus, the second cam plate 23 takestwo reciprocating motions in the back-and-forth direction indicated byan arrow C for every one rotation of the cam gear 41.

The support pins 47 and 48 of the elevator block base 44 are insertedinto the cam hole 31 of the second cam plate 23 and the cam groove 33 ofthe first cam plate 24. By the reciprocating motion of the second camplate 24, the support pins 47 and 48 are moved up and down within thecam grooves 33 formed in zigzag shapes while being guided by the camholes 31. Namely, thus, the up-and- down operation of the elevator blockis carried out. Incidentally, the rotations of the up-and-down motor 37are opposite to each other in the ascending operation and the descendingoperation.

FIG. 12 shows a state where the elevator block is in the loadingposition for enabling the reproducing operation by the disc drivesection 5 as the ascending/descending operation of the elevator block.Also, FIG. 11 shows a state where the elevator block is in the thirdstock height position H₃ at which the third subtray 14 is drawable orretractable relative to the stocker 8.

<6. Sensor for horizontal transference condition>

If the transferring operation of the changer apparatus having such astructure is schematically shown, the movement among the threetransferring positions in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 13and the seven transferring positions in the vertical direction as shownin FIG. 14 are carried out.

Four sensor are provided for absolutely detecting the condition that thesubtray 14 is in any one of the three transferring positions, i.e., thestock position/play position/eject position in the horizontal direction.

The four sensor means are located on the elevator block as shown in FIG.6 and are four switches, i.e., a photo interrupter 59, a stock detectingswitch 60, an open/close switch 58 and an out-switch 61.

The photo interrupter 59 is disposed on the elevator block base 44 fordetecting a detected projection 91 projected from a bottom surfaceportion of the slider 88 shown in FIG. 5. The photo interrupter 59 isturned on when the slider 88 is retracted into the main tray 75 and thesubtray 14 is in the reproducing position and turned off except for thiscondition.

The out-switch 61 is disposed on the elevator block top 67 for detectingan angular position of a lock lever 84 relative to the slider 88.Although the detailed explanation of the lock lever 84 will be omitted,the lock lever 84 is used for preventing the movement of the slider 88in the case where the main tray 75 is located between the approximateplay position and the eject position and is rotated while a bearing 85is supported to a pivot projection 82. A projection 86 on the bottomsurface side is engaged with a groove 92 of the slider 88 and therotational operation of the lock lever 84 is carried out in accordancewith the movement position of the slider 88.

Namely, the rotation of the lock lever 84 is carried out between thecase where the slider 88 is received in the interior of the main tray 75and the case where it is drawn out of the main tray 75. As a result, theout-switch 61 is switched on and off during the period from the stockposition to the reproducing position of the subtray 14 and the casewhere the subtray 14 is received in the interior of the main tray 75(i.e., in the play position or the eject position).

The stock detecting switch 60 is provided at a rear end portion of theelevator block base 44. The stock detecting switch 60 is turned on by apressure projection 93 formed on the slider 88 in the positionalcondition in which the slider 88 transfers the subtray 14 to the stockposition. Namely, it detects that the transferring position in thehorizontal direction is the stock position condition.

The open/close switch 58 is provided in the vicinity of the front endportion of the elevator block base 44 and is depressed by the main tray75 during a period when the main tray 75 is trasnsferred from thereproducing position to the eject position relative to the elevatorblock.

The outputs of the four sensor means are shown in FIG. 15. By thesesignals, it is possible for the controller (to be described later) toalways currently judge how the transferring condition is in thehorizontal direction.

<7. Sensor for presence/absence of disc>

A emission element as a light source 62 is provided on the elevatorblock base 44, whereas a light reception element as a photodtector 63 isprovided on the elevator block top 67. The light emission element 62 andthe light reception element 63 are arranged to face each other. Theseelements function as a sensor for detecting the presence/absence of thedisc on the subtray 14.

Namely, when the main tray 75 into which the subtray 14 is inserted forengagement is received within the elevator block, the sensor hole 78 ofthe main tray 75 and the sensor hole 123 of the subtray 14 are locatedon the vertical line which reaches the light reception element 63 fromthe light emission element 62. Namely, the interval between the lightemission element 62 and the light reception element 63 is notinterrupted by the subtray 14 and the main tray 75.

Accordingly, if the disc is not loaded on the subtray 14, the outputlight of the light emission element 62 is received by the lightreception element 63. Also, when the disc is present, the light is notreceived. Therefore the output of the light reception element 63 isoutputted as information representative of the presence/absence of thedisc to the controller (to be described later).

The sensor composed of the light emission element 62 and the lightreception element 63 for the disc presence/absence is provided at aposition close to the center of the subtray 14 and the main tray 75, sothat not only the detection operation of the disc presence/absenceduring the transference from the eject position to the reproducingposition but also the disc presence/absence detection during thetransference from the stock position to the reproducing position may becarried out.

Namely, according to the sensor of the disc presence/absence, only bysimply drawing each subtray 14 within the subtray into the main tray 75,it is possible to detect whether or not the disc is received on thesubtray 14. Accordingly, when the disc loading condition of each subtrayis to be detected, it is unnecessary to carry out time-consuming andtroublesome operations as by delivering the subtrays 14 one by one tothe loading position and chucking it, carrying out a TOC data readoutoperation with the optical head 7 and judging the presence/absence ofthe disc in accordance with the result (whether or not the TOC is reador not). Thus, it is possible to carry out a rapid detection of the discreceiving state within the stocker 8 and a rapid correspondenceoperation in case of the absence of the disc.

For example, in the case where the subtray on which no disc is loaded isdesignated and the reproducing operation is effected by the user, sincethe disc absence is noticed at the time when the subtray 14 is drawninto the main tray 75, the correspondence operation such as a display ofit may be quickly performed.

<8. Sensor for vertical transferring condition>

In the vertical transferring operation of the transferring mechanism ofthe disc changer apparatus, as shown in FIG. 14, it carries out themovement among the loading position H_(LD), the landing position H_(DM),and the first through fifth stock height positions H₁ to H₅. Twosensors, i.e., an initial switch 45 and a count switch 40 are providedfor detecting the seven transferring positions in the verticaldirection.

The initial switch 45 is provided so as to be depressed when theelevator block is lowered to the loading position H_(LD) (lowermostposition) as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Namely, the initial switch 45 ismeans for detecting the absolute address representative of the loadingposition H_(LD).

As shown in FIG. 10, the count switch 40 is disposed at a position whereit may be depressed by a contact portion 42 of the second cam plate 23and is turned on or off by the above-described back-and-forth operationof the second cam plate 23.

Namely, the elevator block is elevated or lowered step by step by theback-and-forth movement of the second cam plate 23, and the switchingoperation is carried out in correspondence with the one- stepascending/descending operation. The count switch 40 serves as a meansfor detecting the relative address representative of the one-stepascending/descending operation.

The outputs of the initial switch 45 and the count switch 40 are shownin FIG. 16.

In the loading position H_(LD), the absolute position is detected by theoutput of the initial switch 45. When the ascending/descending operationis carried out, since a switching pulse of the count switch is obtainedfor every one step, the increment of the counter is performed by theswitching pulse upon the ascending operation and the decrement of thecounter is performed by the switching pulse upon the descendingoperation based upon the initial position of the loading positionH_(LD). Thus, it is possible to judge the current vertical address ofthe elevator block.

By thus detecting the transferring positions in the height directiononly with the initial switch 45 and the count switch 40, the economicaladvantage is considerably enhanced in provision of the sensors incomparison with the provision of a sensor for every transferringposition of the seven positions. Also, in this system, it isadvantageous that the number of the sensors may be only two even in thecase where the steps of the transference are increased (for example, inthe case where a larger number of discs may be received).

<9. Structure of changer apparatus>

The overall circuit block of the changer mechanism according to theembodiment will now be explained.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the changer apparatus. In theabove-described changer mechanism, the disc which has been transferredto the loading position is drivingly rotated at CLV (Constant LinearVelocity) manner by the spindle motor and its recorded information isread out by the optical head 7.

Namely, the light beam that has been radiated from a laser diode of theoptical head 7 is converged on a recording surface of the disc by anobjective lens through an optical system including a diffractiongrating, a beam splitter, a 1/4 wavelength plate and the like. Thereflected light beam from the recording surface of the disc is passedthrough the optical system of the beam splitter and is converted to aphotodetector through a cylindrical lens or the like to be convertedinto an electrical signal.

A reference numeral 101 denotes an RF calculation section to which theoutput signal from the photodetector of the optical head 7 is suppliedand produces an RF signal as reproducing data, a focus error signal EFand a tracking error signal ET by an arithmetic calculation process.

The focus error signal EF and the tracking error signal ET are suppliedto a servo circuit 106. The servo circuit 106 generates a focus drivesignal FD and a tracking drive signal TD and supplies an actuator fordriving the objective lens of the optical head 7. The objective lens ofthe optical head 7 is moved in a focusing direction and a trackingdirection by the actuator according to the focus drive signal FD and thetracking drive signal TD.

Also, a sled drive signal SD is produced on the basis of the trackingerror signal ET and is fed to a slid mechanism for driving the opticalhead 7 in the radial direction of the disc.

The RF signal outputted from the RF calculation section 101 is suppliedto a decoder 102 and is subjected to an EFM decoding and an errorcorrection process. It is converted into an analog audio signal (L, R)in a D/A converter 103 to be outputted from a speaker 105 through anamplifier 104 as a sound.

Also, in the decoder 102, a subcode data C_(SUB), a clock error signalE_(SP) for the spindle motor, and the like are extracted and supplied toa controller 100.

The controller 100 is composed of a microcomputer, to which the outputsignals from the respective switches 60, 58, 61, 40 and 45 are suppliedand to which the output signals from the photo interrupter 59 and thelight reception element 63 of the disc presence/absence sensor, forcontrolling each parts in correspondence with the user operation or thesubcode data C_(SUB). A spindle servo signal SS is supplied to the servocircuit 7, a spindle drive signal SPD is applied to the spindle motor,the servo circuit 7 is controlled by a track jump signal (jump pulse)TJ, and the access operation of the optical head 7 is executed.

A reference character 100a denotes a RAM incorporated into thecontroller 100 (which RAM may be a discrete unit). The TOC data read outfrom each disc are stored in the RAM 100a. In the case where the usercarries out a program designation input in a program playback mode, theinput data (music order) are stored therein.

A reference numeral 109 denotes an inputting operating section withvarious operating keys provided on a front panel of a cabinet of theapparatus, including operating keys for a loading/unloading or the likefor the discs (subtrays 14) relative to the changer mechanism, operatingkeys such as play, stop, fast forward, fast rewind, AMS keys, andplayback or reproducing mode operating keys such as random playback andprogram playback keys. Also, an operating switch of a user power sourceoperation is also provided.

The above-described operating keys are arranged as shown in, forexample, FIG. 18. Namely, the play key (and a temporary stop key) 220,the stop key 221, the fast forward/fast rewind key 223, the AMS key 222and the open/close key 224 are provided for operation of the disc whichhas now been transferred by the subtray 14, transferred to, for example,the loading position and is kept under the reproduction condition.

Also, disc selection key 201 to 205 are provided as indicated by "DISC1" to "DISC 5" so that the disc accommodated in the stocker 8 may bedirectly selected to be reproduced by manipulating any one of the keys201 to 205. For instance, in the case where the disc selection key 201is depressed, the disc stocked at the stock height position H₁ istransferred to the loading position H_(LD) to be reproduced.

The disc selection open/close keys 211 to 215 are provided in juxtaposedrelation with the disc selection keys 201 to 205 for directly selectingthe subtray 14, transferring it to the eject position and alsotransferring it from the eject position to the interior of theapparatus. For instance, if the disc selection open/close key 211 isdepressed, the subtray 14 of the stock height position H₁ is ejected andthe disc relative to the subtray may be loaded/unloaded.

A reference numeral 108 in FIG. 17 denotes a display section. In thedisplay section 108, information such as time information of the discwhich is now being reproduced and various mode conditions are displayedon the basis of the control of the controller 100.

Subtray display sections 231 to 235 made of LEDs are provided on thedisc selection keys 201 to 205 as shown in FIG. 18 as parts of thedisplay section 108 so that it is possible to judge the condition ofeach subtray in accordance with the display condition of the subtraydisplay sections 231 to 235.

For example, by the display condition of the subtray display sections231 to 235, the user can confirm whether or not the disc is held on thesubtray, whether or not the subtray is retained in the stocker, orwhether or not the subtray is one to be transferred, i.e., the disc onthe subtray is kept under the reproduction stand-by condition.

For example, in the case where the disc is received on the subtray, thesubtray display section corresponding to the subtray is turned on andradiates a red colored light beam, and in the case where the disc is notlaid thereon, the subtray display section is turned off. Furthermore,when the subtray which carries the disc thereon is transferred to theloading position and the disc is kept under the reproduction stand-bycondition, the user may identify the condition of each subtray inaccordance with a lighting system in which, for example, the subtraydisplay section corresponding to the subtray is turned on and radiates agreen colored light beam. Of course, any other various lighting systemfor identifying the condition may be considered. For example, flickeringthe red colored light beam may be used instead of the green color lightbeam.

Also, a reproducing information display section 240 such as a liquidcrystal display element shown in FIG. 19 is provided as a part of thedisplay section 108.

The reproducing information display section 240 may display, forexample, the operation conditions and modes and the reproducing time orthe like. For example, the reproducing information display section 240perform the display 241 of the disc which is currently kept under thereproduction stand-by condition or the display (music calendar display)242 of the tracks recorded on the disc.

A reference numeral 107 denotes a power source circuit. The power sourcecircuit 107 is used for rectifying and smoothing a commercialalternating current power source and supplying a voltage of a directcurrent operation power source to each part. Under the condition that asupply plug 113 is connected to a domestic power source, i.e., thecommercial AC power source, a primary power source is turned on, and aso-called stand-by power source voltage V₂ is outputted to be suppliedto the controller 100 or the like. Also, the operational power sourcevoltage V₁ is fed to each part in correspondence with the user'soperation for turning on the power source operating switch.

Since the stand-by power source voltage V₂ is always supplied to thecontroller 100 in the case where the supply plug 113 is connected to thecommercial power source, it is possible to perform the operation to someextent also in a stand-by condition, i.e., a so called operation-offstate in which the power source operating switch is not turned on andonly the supply plug 113 is connected. In some cases, it is possible tocontrol the automatic output of the operation power source voltage V₁ tothe power source circuit 107.

A reference numeral 110 denotes a motor driver section for driving theabove-described ascending/descending motor 37 and the horizontaltransferring motor 51. Motor control information S_(MD) is supplied fromthe controller 100 to the motor driver section 110 on the basis of themotor control information S_(MD). The motor driver section 110 appliesthe operational current to the ascending/descending motor 37 and thehorizontal transferring motor 51 so that the rotational direction andthe rotational operation period of the ascending/descending motor 37 andthe horizontal transferring motor 51 are controlled by the controller100.

A reference numeral 111 denotes a cover which is rotatably provided at afront panel of a box in the eject position. For example, as shown inFIG. 20(a), the cover 111 is urged to normally close the opening portion200 of the front panel by a spring mechanism for shielding the interiorof the apparatus from the outside. Then, when the main tray 75 and thesubtray 14 are transferred to the eject position, the cover 111 ispushed and rotated at a shaft 111a by the main tray 75 to open theopening portion 200 of the front panel. Incidentally, any other variousshapes or forms of the cover 111 may be used.

A reference numeral 112 denotes an opening/closing sensor which isswitched on/off in response to the opening/closing condition of theopening portion 200. The opening/closing sensor 112 is provided near thelower edge of the opening portion 200 of the front panel of theapparatus and is operated the cover 11 when the cover 111 is rotated toopen the opening portion 200. The opening/closing sensor 112 isstructured so that the switch is depressed in response to the rotationof the cover 111 in the direction to open the opening portion 200 asshown in FIG. 20(b). Incidentally, any other mechanism may be used asthe opening/closing sensor 112 and a photo sensor may be used therefor.

The signals S_(SEN) from the above-described various sensor means aresupplied from the changer mechanism to the controller 100 so that thevarious conditions of the changer mechanism may be detected by thecontroller 100. Namely, the signals from the photo interrupter 59, thestock detection switch 60, the open/close switch 58 and the out-switch61 are supplied for detecting the horizontal transferring position,signals from the initial switch 45 and the count switch 40 are alsosupplied to the controller 100 for detecting the vertical transferringposition, and signals from the light receiving element 63 are furthersupplied for detecting the disc presence/absence on the subtray 14.

Also, the signal from the opening/closing sensor 112 is fed to thecontroller 100.

<10. TOC data reading-out method of stocked discs>

In the thus constructed changer apparatus, in the case where the discsfor which the administration information (hereinafter referred to as TOCdata) has not been read are present in the discs that are not currentlykept under the reproduction stand-by condition, i.e., the discs receivedin the stocker 8, the TOC data reading out operation is executed at thetime of a chance in which the TOC data reading out operation ispossible. In addition, this condition is not notified to the user.

A process for this executed by the controller 100 will be explainedaccording to FIGS. 21 and 22.

Step F100 shown in FIG. 21 shows the condition that the subtray 14 onwhich a certain disc is received is transferred to the loading positionH_(LD), and the disc is kept under the reproduction stand-by condition.

For example, in such a disc changer apparatus, upon the turning-on thepower source by the user, or at the time when the supply plug 113 isconnected to the commercial power source for the stand-by condition, themechanical initializing operation is carried out, and the controller 100may recognize the current positional condition of the transferringmechanism or the subtray which is being transferred. As a result, it maycope with the user's operation thereafter. In order to more quickly copewith the operation, after the mechanical initializing operation, or atthe time when the power source is turned on by the user, a certain discis caused for being ready at the loading position. The initializingoperation will be described in detail later.

For example, the disc (the disc recognized as the first disc by theuser) accommodated in the stock height position H₁ is loaded in advance.

Also, after each operation has been carried out by the user'smanipulation, the disc which was selected at this time was caused to beready in the reproduction stand-by condition in the loading position onthe disc reproducing section 5 or the like. Namely, the first disc isfirst under the reproduction stand-by condition, and thereafter the discthat has been finally selected by the user with the selection keys 201to 205.

By the light emission condition of the subtray display portion 231 to235 and the display 241 of the reproducing information display section240, the user can confirm which disc is kept under the reproductionstand-by condition.

When a certain disc is kept under the reproduction stand-by condition,the operation of the operation keys 220 to 224 is effected for thatdisc. For example, when the key 220 is depressed, the process isadvanced from F101 to F106 to thereby perform the reproduction of thedisc kept under the reproduction stand-by condition.

Also, when the open/close key 224 is depressed, in step F106, thesubtray of the disc that is kept under the reproduction stand-bycondition is ejected.

On the other hand, in the case where the disc selection key 205 isdepressed when the first disc is kept under the reproduction stand-bycondition, as the process in step F106, the subtray on which the firstdisc is received is returned and accommodated in the stock heightposition H₁, subsequently, the subtray is drawn at the stock heightposition H₅ and transferred to the loading position H_(LD), and the discreceived on the subtray is reproduced.

Also, in the case where the disc selection open/close key 214 isdepressed when the first disc is kept under the reproduction stand-bycondition, the subtray on which the first disc is received is returnedand accommodated in the stock height position H₁, subsequently, thesubtray is drawn at the stock height position H₄ and transferred to theeject position.

Thus, in the case where a certain disc is kept under the reproductionstand-by condition, and the operation such as the reproduction(including dependent operations on the reproducing operation, i.e., fastforward/AMS) is not required, i.e., when there is no current operationto the disc reproducing section 5 and the transferring mechanism, theprocess is advanced to step 102.

Here, if the TOC data have not yet been read out with respect to thedisc kept under the reproduction stand-by condition and loaded on thedisc reproducing section 5, first of all, the TOC data of that disc areread out and the read-out TOC data are stored in the RAM 100a (F105).Namely, the immediate reproducing operation is possible during thereproducing manipulation, and at the same time, the display of, forexample, the music calendar 242 shown in FIG. 19 is possible withrespect to the disc kept under the reproduction stand-by condition.

If the TOC data of the disc which have been already kept under thereproduction stand-by condition and loaded on the disc reproducingsection 5 at the time of step F102 have been read, subsequently, it isjudged whether or not any disc is present in the plurality of the discsreceived in the stocker 8 for which the TOC data have not yet been readout. Namely, the controller 100 judges whether or not the TOCs for thefive discs have been stored in the RAM 100a.

Then, if one or plural discs for which the TOC data have not yet beenread out are present, the TOC data reading-out operation for the discsis effected (F104).

As shown in FIG. 22, in the TOC data reading operation, one or pluraldiscs for which the TOC data have not yet been read are loaded in apredetermined order or in any desired order and the respective TOC dataare read and stored in the RAM 100a in order (F201).

For instance, if the first disc is kept under the reproduction stand-bycondition and the TOC data of the second to fifth discs have not yetbeen read out, once the first disc on the disc reproducing section 5 isreturned and accommodated in the stocker 8, the subtray on which thesecond disc is received is picked up in the stock height position H₂ andis loaded on the disc reproducing section 5. Then, the TOC data are readout from the second disc and are stored in the RAM 100a. Subsequentlyafter the TOC data of the second disc are completely read out, thesecond disc is returned to the stocker 8 and the third disc is loaded onthe disc reproducing section 5 and in the same way, its TOC data arestored in the RAM 100a. Furthermore, the TOC data reading-out operationis effected to the fourth and fifth discs.

For instance, thus, at the time (F203) when the TOC data readingoperation has been completed to all the discs, the first disc which isinherently kept under the reproduction stand-by condition during thisperiod is again picked up from the stocker 8 and transferred to beloaded on the disc reproducing section 5 (F204). The TOC datareading-out operation is finished and the process is returned to thestand-by condition shown in FIG. 20 (F100).

In the meanwhile, the display condition of the display 241 in thesubtray display sections 231 to 235 and the reproducing informationdisplay section 240 is not changed at all. Namely, actually, during theTOC data reading-out operation, the disc that was kept under thereproduction stand-by condition is once returned and accommodated in thestocker 8 but the display that this disc is kept under the reproductionstand-by condition is always effected to the user.

If, when the disc which is to be loaded is changed by the automatic TOCdata reading-out operation, the display is switched, the disc that iskept under the reproduction stand-by condition (i.e., the disc which isoperated by the operation keys 220 to 224) is changed without any user'soperation. Thus, the user is confused. According to the embodiment, sucha confusion is not caused.

Then, the disc that is displayed for the target of the reproductionstand-by is again loaded on the reproducing section in accordance withthe completion of the TOC data reading-out operation, the disc isactually returned back to the reproduction stand-by condition.Accordingly, it is possible to quickly cope with the subsequentoperation.

By the way, in the case where the operation demand such as thereproducing or eject operation is effected during the TOC datareading-out operation, i.e., in the case where any key shown in FIG. 18is depressed, the process is advanced from F202 to F205 and the TOC datareading-out operation is immediately stopped even in any condition.Then, the process is advanced to step F106 to cope with the user's keyoperation.

For example, in the case where the disc selection key 205 is depressed,the loading condition of the fifth disc is immediately realized and thereproducing operation is started. Of course, if the TOC data of thefifth disc have not yet been read at this time, then, the TOC data areread out and subsequently the reproducing operation is executed.

Also, in the case where the disc selection open/close key 212 isdepressed, the subtray 14 on which the second disc is received istransferred to the eject position.

Furthermore, for example, in the case where the play key 220 isdepressed, since the user's operation is effected to the disc whoseoperation is currently displayed, i.e., the disc recognized under thereproduction stand-by condition, the TOC data reading-out operation forthe discs other than the disc kept under the reproduction stand-bycondition is stopped, and the disc that is kept under the reproductionstand-by condition but is once returned and accommodated in the stocker8 is loaded and reproduced on the reproducing section 5.

Thus, the reaction for the user's operation has a most significantpriority, and the TOC data reading-out operation relative to the discsfor which TOC data have not yet been read out is carried out inconsidering the idle period where the operation demand is not made.Accordingly, the operation based upon the user's manipulation is nothindered.

By the way, in the case where the subtray 14 is transferred to the ejectposition, in general, there is a possibility that the disc receivedthereon would be changed by another. For this reason, in the case of theeject operation is carried out, the TOC data stored in the RAM 100a arecanceled corresponding to the disc laid on the subtray.

In the case where the new disc is received on the subtray and it isaccommodated in the stocker 8, the TOC data reading-out operation isautomatically carried out by aiming an idle period of the operation ofthe changer mechanism and the reproducing section 5 as described above.

Incidentally, the timing of cancellation of the TOC data stored in theRAM 100a is not a moment when the open/close key (211 to 215, or 224) isdepressed but a time when the subtray is actually kept under the opencondition. Namely, until the sensor information shown in FIG. 15 becomesthe condition of the open/close transference, the TOC data are notcanceled corresponding to the disc received on that subtray.

For example, in the case where at the time when the user depresses theopen/close key 211 and immediately thereafter, namely, the first disc isnot transferred to the discharge condition, the user notices the errorof the operation, and the open/close key 212 is depressed, thecontroller 100 stops the transference of the first disc and shifts thetransferring operation control of the second disc. After all, in somecases, the second disc is ejected and the actually the first disc is notejected at all. Accordingly, in such a case, it is unnecessary to cancelthe TOC data of the first disc from the RAM 100a. Also, if thecancellation is effected, a waste operation to again read out the TOCdata have to be carried out later.

Otherwise, there is a system in the case where the TOC data are canceledin the eject operation, in order to avoid the waste operation of thecancellation, the disc is ejected as far as the cancellation is onceeffected. However, in this system, the operationability is naturallydegraded due to the provision of the period where the manipulation isdisabled.

However, at the time when the sensor information shown in FIG. 15indicates the condition of the open/close transference, the TOC data forthe transferred disc are canceled, whereby a most preferably process maybe ensured because only the TOC of the second disc is canceled in theabove-described operational example.

Incidentally, in the case where any disc is not received on a certainsubtray 14, the TOC data of the disc corresponding to that subtray arenaturally not stored in the RAM 100a. Accordingly, in some cases,corresponding to this condition, the controller 100 performs the TOCdata reading-out operation in step F104. Namely, such phenomenon willoccur in the case where the detection of the presence/absence is noteffected for that subtray.

However, at the time when the subtray 14 is drawn out of the stocker 8in order to carry out the TOC data reading-out operation, the controller100 may recognize that the disc is not received or laid thereon on thebasis of the information detected by the above-described light emissionelement 62 and the light receiving element 63. Accordingly, it ispossible to dispense with the waste operation to specially execute theTOC data reading-out operation by transferring the subtray 14,corresponding to the disc reproducing section 5, to the loading positionH_(LD).

In the case where the disc for which the TOC data have not yet been readout are present in a plurality of stocked discs as described above, atthe time when there is no operation to be executed by the discreproducing section 5 and the transferring mechanism, the controller 100performs the TOC data reading-out operation to thereby dispense with theTOC data reading-out operation concerning each subsequent operation andto thereby quickly cope with the operation.

For example, in the case where the user depresses any one of the discselection keys 201 to 205 in order to select and reproduce the disccurrently received in the stocker 8, it is possible to perform thedisplay of the music calendar or the display of the total reproducingtime with respect to that disc without completion of the transference tothe loading position, of course, without waiting for the TOC datareading-out operation.

Also, when the program setting is carried out over a plurality of discs,if the TOC data of all the discs have been read out by theabove-described TOC data reading-out operation, the calculation of theaccumulation time may be immediately performed. For instance, in thecase where the pieces of music are designated like i) the first piece ofmusic of the second disc, ii) the fifth piece of music of the firstdisc, iii) the eighth piece of music of the fifth disc, . . . , sincethe TOC data of each disc have been read out, it is possible toimmediately display the accumulation play time on the reproducinginformation display section 240.

Furthermore, it is possible to check the program input error. Forexample, in spite that the fifth disc only involves five pieces ofmusic, and in the case where the user designates the seventh piece ofmusic of the fifth disc, at the input timing, the controller 100 mayrecognize that the fifth disc only involves five pieces of music, fromthe TOC data stored in the RAM 100a. Accordingly, to cope with thisimmediately, it is possible to process for correcting the input error,for example, to display an error display or cancel the input.

By the way, since the TOC data reading-out operation is carried outabsolutely during the idle period of the disc reproducing section 5 andthe transferring mechanism, there are some cases where the discs forwhich the TOC data have not yet been read out are contained in theprogram input.

Since the disc reproducing section 5 and the transferring mechanism areoperated for the operation of the program input or the like, it ispossible to execute the TOC data reading-out operation in paralleltherewith. However, if the piece of music (track number) inputted in theprogram is the data for the disc whose TOC data have not yet been readout, the TOC data reading-out operation is performed to that disc withpriority.

For example, when the program input is carried out under the conditionthat the TOC data from the second disc to the fifth disc are not readout and the TOC data reading-out operation to the second disc is beingstarted in parallel, if the user perform the program input of the firstpiece of music of the fifth disc, the TOC data reading-out operation forthe second disc is stopped and the TOC data of the fourth disc are firstread out.

Also, under the condition that TOC data of any discs including the discbeing under the reproduction stand-by condition have not yet been readout, if the program input is carried out, the TOC data reading-outoperation is effected to the discs which are designated from the firstpiece of music with a priority to the TOC data reading-out operation ofthe disc being under the reproduction stand-by condition.

With such an operation, it is possible to bring the reaction of thedisplay operation upon the program input into the optimum one.

<11. Program playback mode>

In the thus constructed changer apparatus according, a program playbackmode is prepared as one of the reproducing modes. The user can designateand reproducing pieces of music from the five discs accommodated in thestocker 8 in a desired order.

In case of the program playback mode, the user performs the operation ofthe program mode and perform the designation input of the discs and thetracks as the program steps in the order that he or she would like toreproduce the pieces of music. As the designation of the tracks, it ispossible to designate any one of the tracks or all the tracks together.

First of all, in the case where the track is designated by the user asthe program step 1 in order from the first track to be reproduce, thecontroller 100 performs the display shown on the reproducing informationdisplay section 240 in, for example, FIGS. 23(a) to 23(c) with referenceto the TOC data of the first to fifth discs stored in the RAM 100a.

First of all, the operation is effected to the program mode so that themode display 243, "PROGRAM", is executed as shown in FIG. 23(a). Then,the program step number display 244, "STEP 1", is effected to urge theuser to give the input.

At the time when the user first designates the disc 1, the designateddisc display 245, "DISC 1", is effected, the number of the tracks isjudged from the TOC data of the disc and the display (herein afterreferred to as a music calendar display) 242 of the tracks recorded inthe disc is effected in which numbers corresponding to the tracksrecorded in a calendar are displayed.

Subsequently, when the user designates the tracks and performs thedesignation input of all the tracks, the designation track display 246,"TRACK ALL", corresponding to the input is effected to the reproducinginformation display section 240. Next, total reproducing timeinformation of the first disc is obtained from the TOC data. Forexample, if it is 50 minutes and 1 second, an accumulation time display247 is "50:01".

Namely, the designation of all the pieces of music of the first disc iscarried out as the program step 1.

Subsequently, if the input of the track 5 (fifth piece of music) of thethird disc is effected as the program step 2, the display is shown inFIG. 23(b). The designated disc display 245 and the designated trackdisplay 245 are effected in correspondence with the input. Also, themusic calendar display 242 and the accumulation time display 247 areeffected with reference to the TOC data. For example, if the reproducingtime of the track 5 of the third disc is 3 minutes and 20 seconds, 3minutes and 20 seconds are added to 50 minutes and one second of theprogram step 1 to obtain 53 minutes and 21 seconds.

Furthermore, if the input of the track 1 (first piece of music) of thesecond disc is effected as the program step 3, the display is shown inFIG. 23(c).

Hereinafter, in the same way, the program designation will be made whilebeing guided by the play information display section 240. Incidentally,it is not always necessary to execute the display of the accumulationtime. For example, it is possible to take a display system in which thedisplay is not effected if the accumulation time exceeds 100 minutes.

For example, if the designation input is carried out by the user forevery program step while being guided by the reproducing informationdisplay section 240, the program designation data are stored in the RAM100a, and the reproducing music is selected with reference to the datain the program playback mode.

For instance, in the case where the user has designated the program upto the program step 7, the program designation data shown in, forexample, FIG. 24(a) are stored in the RAM 100a.

When the reproducing operation is carried out under this condition, thecontroller 100 refers to the RAM 100a, such an operational control iscarried out that all the pieces of music of the first disc are firstplayed back, thereafter, the fifth piece of music of the third disc isplayed back, thereafter, the first piece of music of the second disc isreproduced, . . .

<12. Editing of program designation data in accordance with ejectoperation>

Under the condition that the program designation data are thus stored inthe RAM 100a, in the case where a certain disc is ejected, in thisembodiment, the designation data concerning the disc which has beenejected are canceled or deleted by the controller 100 from the programdesignation data in the process shown in FIG. 25 so that the programdesignation data are edited.

Under the condition that the program designation data are held in theRAM 100a (F300), in the case where the eject operation is effected to acertain disc (F301), i.e., in the case where any key operation of theopen/close keys 21 to 215 or 224 is carried out, the process is advancedto step F302, and the controller 100 starts the transferring operationto the eject position of the subtray 14 on which the disc is received tobe ejected.

Here, the controller 100 supervises the output signal from, for example,the open/close switch 58 of the sensor for detecting the horizontaladdress of FIG. 15 (F303). The state where the output signal from theopen/close switch 58 reaches the condition of the open/closetransference in FIG. 15 is the stand-by condition.

After the condition of the open/close transference, i.e., at the timewhen the disc received on the subtray 14 is discharged to the outside ofthe apparatus body to the eject positional region on the basis of theoutput signal from the open/close switch 58, the process is advanced tostep F306.

However, in the case where the eject operation for designating othersubtrays by the open/close keys 211 to 215 or 224 is effected before themain tray 75 reaches the eject positional region, the subtray 14 whichis now being transferred is returned back to the stock position by themain tray 75, the newly designated subtray 4 is a target of eject (F304,F305), and the operation for transferring the subtray 14 to the ejectposition in step F302 by the main tray 75 is started. Then, thecontroller 100 is kept under the waiting state until the transfer up tothe eject positional region (F303).

When a certain subtray has reached the eject positional region, in stepF306, the designation data concerning the n-th disc load on the subtrayare canceled or deleted from the program designation data of the RAM100a.

For instance, when the program designation data of FIG. 24(a) arestored, at the time when the subtray carrying on the third disc istransferred to the eject positional region, the input contents of theprogram steps 2, 4 and 5 which are the designation data of the thirddisc are canceled, so that the rest data are rearranged without blanksand the data of the program steps 1 to 4 are newly edited as shown inFIG. 24(b).

Incidentally, if there is no program for the disc which has beentransferred to the eject position region, of course, the cancellationand edition of the program designation data are not carried out. Forexample, when the program designation data shown in FIG. 23(a) arestored, even if the subtray on which the fourth disc is received istransferred to the eject position region, there are no data to becanceled in the program designation data. Accordingly, the edition isnot executed.

Incidentally, after the edition of the program designation data in stepF306, the TOC data of the disc stored in the RAM 100a as the processnecessary in the same manner are also canceled for the possibility thatthe discs are replaced by the eject operation (F307).

As described above, the program designation is canceled only for thedisc to be ejected so that the other program designation data which arestill available are stored. In particular, the operation of the programplayback mode may be carried out even if the input is again carried out.

Also, the case where the program designation data for a certain disc isactually unnecessary is the case where there is a possibility that thedisc is removed from the apparatus, i.e., the disc is transferredoutside the cabinet of the apparatus.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, as described above, the timing of theedition execution of the program designation data in the RAM 100a is notimmediately after the depression of the open/close key (211 to 215 or224) but at the time when the subtray is actually transferred to theeject position region by the main tray and held so that, for example,the cover 111 is rotated in a direction in which the opening portion 200is opened and the opening portion 200 is in an open condition. Thus, anoptimum edition operation may be executed.

For example, in the case where the user depresses the open/close key211, and immediately thereafter at the time when the disc is nottransferred to discharge the first disc and to be load on the subtray toproject from the opening portion 200 to the outside of the cabinet ofthe apparatus, the or she notices the error of his or her operation anddepresses again the open/close key 212, the controller 100 stops thetransferring operation of the first disc and starts to the transferringoperation control of the second disc. As a result, after all, in orderto eject the second disc from the apparatus body, the first disc is notejected actually at all. Accordingly, in such a case, it is not properto cancel or delete the program designation data for the first disc fromthe RAM 100a. However, in the embodiment, such an improper editionoperation is not carried out.

In some cases where the edition is carried out upon the eject operation,in order to avoid the waste edition, the disc is eject as far as theoperation is once carried out, and the operation of the other operationkey is disabled. However, in the cases, the operationability is ofcourse degraded due to the provision of the operation disable period. Inthis respect, the process according to the embodiment is available as asystem which does not interfere with the operationability.

Incidentally, in the embodiment, the eject position region is from theopen/close transference to the eject position, and i.e., the programdesignation data edition is executed at the time when the subtray 14 isstarted to be discharged from the cabinet of the apparatus. However, itis possible to set the eject position region only to the complete ejectposition, and i.e., the program designation data edition is executed atthe time when the detection signal condition representative of the ejectposition in FIG. 15 is obtained.

<13. Mechanical initializing system>

In such the disc changer apparatus, in order to suitably operate thechanger mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the controller 100 has torecognize the current transference condition. Namely, with respect tothe horizontal transferring position as described above, it is possibleto recognize the position by the four sensors but with respect to thevertical transferring position, it is impossible to recognize theabsolute position except for the initial position (i.e., loadingposition H_(HD)) which may be detected by the initial switch 45. Forthis reason, the mechanical initial operation is carried out, and thetransferring position is judged so that the unknown condition of thesubtray which is to be transferred should be obviated. Accordingly, inthis embodiment, the mechanical initial operation should be carried outin the order shown in FIGS. 26 and 27(a) to 27(h).

Namely, as the mechanical initial operation, in other words, before theexecution of the normal operation, first of all, it is judged whichsubtray 14 is currently engaged into the main tray 75.

Now, in the embodiment, the mechanical initial operation is executed atthe time when the disc changer apparatus is kept under the stand-bycondition. Namely, it is executed under the condition before the turn-onof the power source switch by the user (i.e., at the time when thesupply plug 113 is connected to the commercial power source, i.e.,domestic power source).

The mechanical initial operation is executed in the stand-by state, sothat, at the time when the power source switch is turned on by the user,the controller 100 has recognized the current transferring positionalcondition. It is possible to cope with the operation quickly in responseto the user's operation such as the reproduction by selecting the disc.

At the time when the supply plug 113 is connected to the commercialpower source, the mechanical initial process shown in FIG. 26 isstarted. First of all, the controller 100 actuates any one of thehorizontal transferring motors 51 so that the condition that the subtray14 is engaged with the main tray 75 is realized (F401). Namely, in FIG.15, the photo interrupter 59 is kept under the condition "H". Actuallyat the time when the supply plug 113 is connected to the commercialpower source, when the subtray is engaged with the main tray 75, such anengagement operation is not carried out. Also, in the case where all thesubtrays 14 are received and accommodated in the stocker 8, the subtray14 is drawn out at a suitable height position and engaged with the maintray 75. For example, the subtray 14 is drawn out from the conditionshown in FIG. 27(a) to the condition shown in FIG. 27(b).

When the main tray 75 and the subtray 14 are engaged with each other,now the descending/ascending motor 37 is actuated to lower the elevatorblock (i.e., the main tray 75 and the subtray 14 in the elevator block)(F402).

Now, during the lowering operation, a pulse is obtained from the countswitch 40 for every one step lowering, the controller 100 counts thepulses from the count switch 40 until it is judged that the condition ofthe initial switch 45 is changed and the elevator block is lowered(F403, F404, F405).

Then, if the lowering motion is finished at the loading position H_(HD)as shown in FIG. 27(c) (F405 to YES), any one of the stock heightpositions (any one of H₁ to H₅) of the subtray 14 which is beingcurrently transferred is inferred from the pulse count value of thecount switch 40 (F406).

Namely, normally, if the upward movement has the pulse count value whichis the same as the pulse count value during the lowering motion, it ispossible to determine the stock position of the subtray 14 which isbeing transferred.

Incidentally, it is possible to determined the transferring positionaddress in the height direction from the initial switch 45 at the timewhen the main tray 75 is lowered down to the loading position H_(LD).Namely, it is judged that the elevator block is currently located at theloading position H_(LD). For this reason, the ascending/descendingoperation of the elevator block is carried out by recognizing theabsolute address by the pulse count of the count switch 40 (incrementupon ascending and decrement upon descending).

The stock position of the subtray 14 being currently transferred may beinferred by the count operation of the step F404. Accordingly, thecontroller 100 first elevates the elevator block to its stock heightposition and executes the operation for returning or accommodating thesubtray 14 into the stocker 8 (F407).

For example, as shown in FIG. 27(d), the controller 100 elevates theelevator block up to the stock height position H₃ to thereby perform thestock operation.

Thus, in the case where the subtray 14 which has been transferred may beaccommodated in the stocker 8, it is possible to recognize the currenttransferring condition (F409). For example, in case of FIG. 27(d), it isrecognized that the third subtray 14 is being transferred until now, andthe elevator block is currently located in the stock height position H₃.Thus, after that, it is possible to suitably cope with the discdesignation operation by the use. Accordingly, the mechanicalinitializing operation is finished, and the process is shifted to thenormal operation, for example, reproducing operation and transferringoperation (F410).

However, there are cases that the subtray 14 could not be returned oraccommodated into the stocker 8 in step F407 due to some reasons. Forexample, in the case where the subtray 14 is insertedly engaged into themain tray 75 at the time of starting the mechanical initializingprocess, all the conditions should be considered with respect to theheight direction position. At this time, the height position is notalways the stock height position of the subtray 14. Namely, even if thestock operation is performed at the position elevated by the same pulsecount as the pulse count upon the lowering motion, there are cases thatthe subtray 14 could not be received.

In this case, in step F411, n=1 is established (where "1" is a numericalvalue for the sake of explanation and is actually the address valuerepresentative the stock height position H₁), and the elevator block ismoved to the stock height position H₁. Then, the returning operation ofthe subtray 14 into the stocker 8 is executed as shown in FIG. 27(e)(F412).

Now, when the subtray 14 is not returned or accommodated in the stocker8, n is incremented to move the elevator block to the stock heightposition H₂. Then, the returning operation of the subtray 14 into thestocker 8 is executed as shown in FIG. 27(f) (F412).

Namely, in the process from step F411 to F415, the elevator block ismoved in the order up to the stock height position H₅ and the returningoperation is executed at each position.

At the time when the subtray 14 may be stocked, the current transferencecondition may be recognized (F109). For example, the returning operationis carried out in order from the stock height position H₁. If thesubtray 14 may be returned or accommodated in the stock height positionH₃, it is possible to recognize the third subtray 14 is beingtransferred until now and is currently located in the stock heightposition H₃. Thus, after that, it is possible to suitably cope with thedisc designation operation by the use. Accordingly, the mechanicalinitializing operation is finished, and the process is shifted to thenormal operation, for example, reproducing operation and transferenceoperation (F410).

A minimum necessary work for the mechanical initializing operation isfinished in step F409. Actually, in the embodiment, after step F409, theelevator block is moved to the stock height position H₁ to pick up thesubtray 14 at the stock position as shown in FIG. 27(g). The elevatorblock is moved to the loading position H_(LD) to be ready as shown inFIG. 27(h).

Thus, the specific disc, i.e., the first disc in this case, istransferred to the loading position H_(LD). Accordingly, in the casewhere the user turns on the power source switch, and further thereproducing operation, for example, the reproducing operation which doesnot designate any disc, or the reproducing operation which designatesthe first disc is carried out, it is advantageous that the reproducingoperation is immediately executed.

Of course, the disc or the subtray that should be ready within the maintray 75 is not always limited to the first disc but may be set to theother disc or the subtray 14. Also, in the case where the disc is notreceived on the first subtray, it is possible to carry out the processthat the next subtray is picked up and is loaded on the disc reproducingsection 5. Furthermore, it is possible to again pick up the subtray thathas been used in the above-described mechanical initial operation and totransfer to the loading position after the returning operation.

By the way, there is a possibility that the elevator block could not bereturned or accommodated at any position in the stocker 8 even if theelevator block is moved in the order from the stock height position H₁to the stock height position H₅ and the receiving operation is carriedout in each position. In this case, the process is advanced from thestep F415 to the step F416, the engagement between the slider 88 and thesubtray 14, i.e., the engagement of the engagement projection 90 of theslider 88 and the engagement recess 15 of the subtray 14 is not carriedout. In this case, it is judged that the normal transferring operationof the subtray has not been executed. Namely, the slider 88 involves amechanical error.

In this case, the process for returning the error condition of theslider 88 to the normal condition is carried out.

As described above, under the condition the slider 88 is drawn out fromthe main tray 75 and the ascending/descending operation is carried out,the engagement projection 90 passes through the engagement recess 15 ofeach subtray 14 in the vertical direction as indicated by the one-dotand dash line B in FIG. 3. For this reason, as the restoring process inthe case where the slider 88 is not suitably engaged, for example, oncethe main tray 75 is lowered down to the loading position H_(LD) and theslider 88 is withdrawn (step F417). Then, the process from the step F411to F415 may be again effected.

For example, there are some cases that the error condition isautomatically returned back to the normal condition by such a process,depending upon a kind of mechanical errors.

Then, with the mechanical re-initializing process from the step F411 toF415, the condition of the slider 88 may be returned back to the normalcondition. If the current transference condition is recognized, thenormal operation, i.e., the transference of the first disc to theloading position H_(LD) in case of this embodiment for the stand-bycondition is carried out. After the power source switch is turned on bythe user, the process is shifted to the process that the operationcorresponding to the manipulation is carried out (F410).

Incidentally, for the mechanical initial operation, it is possible todispense with F401, F404 and F406 to F408 in the process shown in FIG.26.

Namely, in the mechanical initial process, the receiving operation ofthe tray 14 in order from the stock height positions H₁ and H₅ is alwayscarried out.

With the above-described mechanical initializing operation shown in FIG.26 or the modification, the number of the sensors for detecting thevertical direction may be reduced only with the initial switch 45 andthe count switch 40.

Also, in the above-described mechanical initializing operation, it ispossible to attain the desired object, namely, the judge of the subtrayto be transferred even if the transferring mechanism before theoperation is kept under any condition. Thus, it is also advantageousthat it is unnecessary to set a specific transference condition in thefactory.

Furthermore, since the mechanical initializing operation is carried outat the time when the supply plug is connected to the commercial powersource, in almost all the cases, the mechanical initializing operationis finished at the time when the power source switch is turned on by theuser. It is therefore possible to quickly attain each operation inresponse to the user's manipulation.

Also, even if errors such as removal of the slider during the mechanicalinitializing operation, the condition might be automatically returnedback to the normal condition.

<14. Another mechanical initializing system>

By the way, in addition to the foregoing mechanical initializing processshown in FIG. 26, for example, it is possible to carry out themechanical initializing operation in accordance with the steps shown inFIG. 28.

In the mechanical initial operation shown in FIG. 28, the steps F401,F404 and F406 to F408 in the process shown in FIG. 26 are dispensedwith. Namely, in the mechanical initial process, the returning operationof the tray 14 in order from the stock height positions H₂ and H₅ iscarried out.

Incidentally, in the process having the steps shown in FIG. 28, the samereference numerals are used to designate the like steps as those of FIG.26 and the duplication of explanation therefor will be avoided.

<15. Error responsible operation during normal operation>

By the way, as described above, if the mechanical error such as removalof the slider 88 for the engagement occurs, the initializing operationis carried out so that the condition might be returned back to thenormal operation. Accordingly, in the disc changer apparatus accordingto the present embodiment, in the case where any mechanical error occurswhen the power switch is turned on during the normal operation, thecontroller 100 executes the control process shown in FIG. 29.

First of all, the controller 100 detects the generation of themechanical error in the normal operation (F500) by, for example, a timeadministration. For example, in the ascending/descending operation ofthe elevator block, it is anticipated that the counter pulse may beobtained from the count switch 40 in a predetermined period of time.However, even if the ascending/descending operation is executed, in thecase where any counter pulse could not be obtained even in a lapse of acertain period of time, it is judged that any mechanical error isgenerated.

In addition, in the case where the sensor information to be naturallydetected by the control for the horizontal transferring motor 51 and thedescending/ascending motor 37 (such as the photo interrupter 59, thestock detection switch 60, the open/close switch 58, the out-switch 61and the initial switch 45) is not obtained, it is judged that any erroris generated (F501 to YES).

The mechanical error might be the case where the slider removal occursas described above, or a screw or the like is clamped into anymechanical parts to obstruct the transferring operation, for example.

In such a case, first of all, a retry operation is carried out for againexecuting the current operational control (F502). If the a suitableoperation is executed as the retry operation (i.e., suitable sensorinformation is obtained), the operation is carried out in the normalcondition and the process is returned back to the normal operation (F503to YES).

However, when the normal condition is not detected even if the retryoperation is carried out, there is no method for automatically returningback to the normal operation at that time. The horizontal transferringmotor 51 and the ascending/descending motor 37 are released (F504) tostop all the changer operation. Then, the user turns off the powersource switch. If the stand-by condition is attained (F505), theabove-described mechanical initializing process shown in FIG. 26 or FIG.28 is executed (F506).

With such a mechanical initializing process, in the disc changerapparatus in the embodiment, if a small mechanical error such as theslider removal occurs, it might be returned back to the normalcondition. After the automatic restoration is carried out with themechanical initializing process, the normal operation may be carried outat the time when the user turns on the power source switch. Accordingly,a risk of the disabled operation due to the breakdown or malfunction isvery small.

<16. Emergency stop due to opening of cover>

An operation for risk prevention for the user and the disc changerapparatus per se will be explained.

The cover 111 is provided at the eject position on the front panel ofthe cabinet of the apparatus. In the normal state, the interior of theapparatus is shielded through the opening portion 200 from the ejectposition so that the finger, the foreign matter or the like is preventedfrom entering the interior of the apparatus. If this cover 111 is openedby the fingers of the user and the fingers or the foreign matters areentered into the interior mechanism, they might reach the parts of theelevator block.

As described above, the elevator block performs the transferringoperation in the vertical direction. However, if the fingers or foreignmatters are entered during the vertical transferring operation, thefingers would be clamped between the elevator block and other parts tobe injured or the introduction of the foreign matters would cause thebreakdown or malfunction. Incidentally, there is not such a risk duringthe horizontal transference.

Accordingly, the controller 100 performs a control shown in FIG. 30 toavoid such risks.

Namely, the controller 100 always supervises the condition of theopen/close sensor 112 (F601). If it is detected by the open/close sensor112 that the cover 111 is located at a position where the openingportion 200 is opened and namely, is opened, the process is advanced tostep F602. Now, it is judged whether the operation is kept under thedescending/ascending operation control of the elevator block or is tostart the descending/ascending operation of the elevator block.

If the process is any other operational condition, i.e.,the reproducingoperation or the transferring operation in, for example, the horizontaltransferring operation, even if the cover 111 is opened, there is nospecial risk. Also, of course, the cover 111 is opened during thehorizontal transferring operation from the play position to the ejectposition. In those cases, the process shown in FIG. 30 is finished andthe operation condition is kept on (F602 to NO).

However, if the process is in the descending/ascending operation controlof the elevator block or to start the descending/ascending operation ofthe elevator block, the process is advanced to step F603 where thedescending/ascending operation is stopped in emergency or thedescending/ascending operation is not started. Namely, the operation ofthe descending/ascending operation 51 is stopped in emergency to preventthe descending/ascending operation of the elevator block.

Then, at the time when it is detected that the cover 111 is closed bythe open/close sensor 112 in step F604, a predetermined operation isstarted (F605).

If the cover 111 is thus opened during a period of thedescending/ascending operation of the elevator block, the controller 100stops the descending/ascending operation to thereby avoid risks ofinjury or breakdown.

For example, assuming the operation of loading the disc to the subtray14 at the stock height position H₃, first of all, the elevator block isdelivered to the stock height position H₃ as shown in FIG. 31(a), andthe subtray 14 is drawn out. Now, assume that the cover 111 is openedduring the withdrawal of the subtray. The normal operation with theprocess of step F602 (to NO) is carried out during the horizontaloperation period for withdrawing the subtray 14 from the stocker 8 tothe main tray 75. After the subtray 14 has been withdrawn into the maintray 75, when the it is transferred to the loading position H_(LD), ifthe cover 111 is opened as shown in FIG. 31(b), the transferringoperation is not executed but ready for transfer.

Thereafter, if it is detected by the open/close sensor 112 that thecover 111 is closed, a predetermined return operation is carried out andthe interrupted predetermined operation is started. The disc of thesubtray 14 in the stock height position H₃ is loaded as shown in FIG.31(c).

<17. Recovery operation from emergency stop>

After the cover 111 is opened and stopped in emergency as describedabove, if the cover 111 is closed, the operation is started. Now, thereare cases that the address in the vertical direction during theemergency stopping period is unknown. For example, in the case where theoperation is stopped at the moment when the count pulse of FIG. 16 hasoccurred, the pulse is again counted upon the re-start and an addresserror would occur.

For this reason, upon the re-start of the step F605 in FIG. 30, first ofall, the mechanical initializing operation as explained in FIG. 26 iscarried out. After the vertical address is again clearly recognized bythe controller 100 with the mechanical initializing operation, if theoperation is the inherent target operation, for example, the loadingdisc exchanging operation, the eject operation is carried out during theexchanging operation or the eject operation.

Incidentally, in some cases, the mechanical initializing operation isnot always necessary. Namely, in the case where the transference fromFIG. 31(b) to FIG. 31(c) for the loading position has been interrupted,after the re-start operation, the initial switch 45 is turned on whenthe elevator block is lowered to the loading position and the absoluteaddress is re-determined. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to carry outthe mechanical initializing operation during the re-start operation.However, since the mechanical initializing operation involves theautomatic return operation due to the mechanical error as describedabove, in view of any risk such as entrainment of foreign matters, it ispreferable to execute the mechanical initializing operation even if itis unnecessary for the determination of the address.

The mechanical initializing operation is always carried out in therecovery operation. The following operation in step 605 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 32.

First of all, as the recovery operation, as described above, themechanical initializing operation is carried out as shown in FIG. 32 instep F700. Thereafter, the process of F701 to F704 is executed inresponse to the target of the operation that is to be performed beforethe emergency stop.

The respective cases will be explained.

(1) Recovery from interruption upon eject operation

This is, for example, the case where the user tries to pick up the n-thdisc from the stocker 8, and after the disc selection open/close key(any one of 211 to 215 or 224) has been depressed, the cover 111 isopened, so that the vertical transference is interrupted. The object ofthe operation in step F701 is the case where it is judged that the n-thdisc is opened. In this case,the n-th disc (the n-th subtray 14) istransferred to the eject position (F702) as the process after themechanical initializing operation of step F700.

(2) Recovery from interruption upon stock

This is the case where when the ejected subtray 14 is to be received,the cover 111 is opened during the vertical transferred and itsoperation is interrupted. At this time, if the cover 111 is closed andthe mechanical initializing operation is carried out in step F700, thestock operation is realized by the above-described initializingoperation.

Accordingly, the stock operation is dispensed with after theinitializing operation. However, as described above, in the case wherethe loading operation of the predetermined subtray is carried out afterthe mechanical initializing operation, the stock operation may beexecuted in step F703.

(3) Recovery from interruption during exchange of loading disc orreproducing disc

This the case where during the transference when the disc being loadedor being reproduced is returned back to the stocker 8 or thetransference when the disc is transferred from the stocker 8 to theloading position, the cover 111 is opened and its operation isinterrupted. In this case, after the cover 111 is closed and themechanical initializing operation is carried out in step F700, a newdisc to be exchanged is transferred to the loading position (F704).

Incidentally, in the case where the disc exchange is intended during thecontinuous reproduction of the discs, after the new disc is loaded, itis possible to modify the step so that the stop condition is kept andthe reproducing operation is not re-started. Namely, in this case, theprocess is also advanced to step F704.

Various specific operational systems other than the above-describedsystems may be applied to the recovery operation. In any case, thesuitable re-start operation may be set in response to the conditionbefore the operation stop and structure/function of the apparatus.

Although the mechanical initializing methods according to theembodiments of the invention have been described as to the disc changerapparatus, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited tothe specific embodiments but may be applied to various kinds of theapparatus by variously changing the parts or components within the scopeof the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reproducing apparatus for a recording medium inwhich administration information for administrating information recordedin the recording medium is recorded, said apparatus comprising:astocking section for stocking a plurality of recording media;reproducing means for reproducing information and administrationinformation from the recording media; transferring means for selectivelypicking up the recording medium from said stocking section andtransferring the recording medium between said stocking section and saidreproducing means, and transferring the recording medium to an ejectposition out of said reproducing apparatus; storage means for storingthe administration information of the recording medium reproduced bysaid reproducing means and/or information concerning a reproductionorder; control means for controlling each operation of said transferringmeans, said reproducing means and said storage means, wherein saidcontrol means deletes from the storage means the information concerningthe reproduction order and/or the administration information of therecording medium which has been transferred to the eject position whenthe recording medium has been transferred to the eject position by saidtransferring means: and position detecting means for detecting that saidtransferring means has reached the eject position and outputting acorresponding detection signal, wherein said control means deletes theinformation of said reproduction order and/or administration informationof the recording medium in response to the detection signal.
 2. Thereproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if any recordingmedium for which the administration information is not stored in saidstorage means is present in the plurality of recording media stocked insaid stocking section, when a reproducing operation of the recordingmedium by said reproducing means is kept under a reproduction stand-bycondition, said control means controls said transferring means to pickup, from said stocking section, the recording medium for which theadministration information has not been stored into said storage means,and the reproducing means to reproduce the recording medium so that theadministration information of the recording medium is stored in saidstorage means.
 3. A reproducing apparatus for a recording medium inwhich administration information for administrating information recordedin the recording medium is recorded, said apparatus comprising:astocking section for stocking a plurality of recording media;reproducing means for reproducing information and administrationinformation from the recording medium; transferring means forselectively picking up the recording medium from said stocking section,transferring the recording medium between said stocking section and saidreproducing means, and transferring the recording medium to an ejectposition out of said reproducing apparatus; operation input means;storage means for storing information concerning a reproduction order ofthe recording medium reproduced by said reproducing means and inputtedby said operation input means; and control means for controlling eachoperation of said transferring means, said reproducing means and saidstorage means, wherein said control means deletes from the storage meansthe information concerning the reproduction order of the recordingmedium when the recording medium has been transferred to the ejectposition by said transferring means.
 4. The reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 3, said apparatus further comprises positiondetecting means for detecting that said transferring means has reachedthe eject position, wherein said control means edits the information ofsaid reproduction order of the recording medium which has beentransferred to the eject position, stored in said storage means on thebasis of a detection signal outputted from said position detectingmeans.
 5. A control method for a reproducing apparatus for a recordingmedium in which administration information of recorded information isrecorded together with the recorded information, said reproducingapparatus having a stocking section for stocking a plurality ofrecording media, reproducing means for reproducing information andadministration information from the recording medium, transferring meansfor selectively picking up the recording medium from said stockingsection and transferring the recording medium between said stockingsection and said reproducing means, and transferring the recordingmedium to an eject position out of said reproducing apparatus, andstorage means for storing the administration information of therecording media reproduced by said reproducing means and/or informationconcerning a reproducing order, said control method comprising the stepof:deleting from the storage means the information concerning thereproduction order and/or the administration information of therecording medium which has been transferred to the eject position whensaid recording medium has been transferred to the eject position by saidtransferring means.